We love to get away and see the world, but there's something so exciting about discovering all of the amazing places that are close to home! We asked our staff about some of their favorite places to visit in the United States and why they love them so much. Keep reading for some great recommendations for your next domestic vacation!

Club Med Sandpiper Bay-- Port St. Lucie, Florida

"Looking for a great all-inclusive family vacation in the United States? Then look no further than Club Med Sandpiper located in Port St. Lucie, Florida. This lovely resort is located only an hour from the West Palm Beach Airport and is the perfect destination for families and multi-generation vacations. From their mini club which takes infants (4 months) and toddlers to the wide variety of sports programs for kids of all ages including tennis, golf, circus training, mini golf, basketball and swimming to boating, kayaking, water skiing, sailing and paddle boarding to just relaxing by the pool – there is something for literally everyone. There is a great fitness center and a variety of classes are offered including yoga and other workouts. Club Med also offers a special adults-only pool and accommodations area, a wonderful spa and adults-only dining areas.

Every night there is fun entertainment for everyone to enjoy, and there are evening cocktail parties by the pool. Dining is in a casual atmosphere, but the food is excellent and there are choices for every taste. A variety of wines and cocktails are also included in the price.

I have been there 4 times. Most were with my children and grandchildren, but I have also been there for a business meeting. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience (and I improved my golf game at the same time). The golf pro is a former LPGA champion and she was fantastic! You can take either free group lessons or pay for private lessons. I experienced both and they were great.

Enjoy a few days or a week at this fun resort right in the good old USA."

Asheville, North Carolina

"One of my favorite places to visit in the states is Asheville ,NC! It is such a cute town filled with local shops and breweries. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, there are a lot of stops for waterfalls and trails to hike. I loved visiting the Omni Grove Park Inn for the stunning views! I hope to stay at this amazing property next time I visit Asheville!"

Fort Meyers, Florida

"There is nothing my family loves more than a trip to the beach! We have taken multiple trips to Fort Meyers over the years, as it is one of our favorite beach towns in the United States. So many memories have been made here as a family, which makes this place so special. One of our favorite things to do is walk along the boardwalk in the evening and explore the variety of little shops and restaurants."

French Lick Springs Resort-- French Lick, Indiana

​“My favorite U.S. destination is French Lick Springs Resort in French Lick, Indiana. Since I was 10 years old, I’ve visited this resort almost every summer with my family members that live in Indiana. We go the second weekend of August each year and we spend our time poolside listening to the DJ, wine tasting at French Lick Winery, and on Saturday night, going to nearby Legendz to sing karaoke. The resort is absolutely gorgeous and it’s a historic hotel that was built in the 1800s. The resort is adorned with gold leaf details in the lobby and classic rocking chairs on its wrap around veranda. On the weekends it’s so relaxing to sit on the veranda and listen to the live Dixieland band. It’s the perfect weekend getaway as it’s only 3 hours away from St. Louis and it’s near Santa Claus, Indiana, where Holiday World is located. Only 6 more months until my next visit and I can hardly wait!”

Alaska

Memphis, Tennessee

"​I’ve taken quite a few trips to Memphis, Tennessee, and always have a wonderful time! With its own unique mix of history, culture, and music, Memphis is a destination for people with a variety of interests. One of my favorite places in the city is the Peabody Hotel, home to the famous Peabody ducks! At 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., the ducks “march” through the lobby to the hotel’s fountain where they stay and swim all day. While you are downtown, Sun Studios (the “birthplace of Rock and Roll”) is a fun stop that takes you in the footsteps of legends like B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis. It may be a small studio, but it is full of history! The National Civil Rights Museum is in the same area as well, telling the story of the American Civil Rights Movement through artifacts, films, and interactive exhibits. And the building itself is historical: the Lorraine Motel (the building housing the museum) is the location of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

If you want your Memphis trip to have a focus on music, I absolutely recommend visiting Beale Street. It has been named a National Historic Landmark and is a hub for two things Memphis is famous for, music and delicious BBQ. If you are looking for some classic Memphis BBQ, Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous restaurant has exactly what you will be craving. I loved the whole experience there, though finding it was a challenge (the entrance is in a back alley)!

No trip to Memphis is complete without visiting Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. While visiting, you will have an opportunity to visit the Graceland mansion and Elvis’ airplanes on the property. There are also several brand-new museum facilities that have everything from Elvis’ personal cars, stage outfits, and awards on display. While you are there, leave your mark! It is tradition to sign your name on the wall outside Graceland as fans have done for decades."

Hannah and Mario, clients of Travel Consultant Christine Wolff, recently returned home from their stay at Now Emerald Cancun. They had an amazing time planning their trip with Christine and escaping the St. Louis cold for a couple days. Check out their Rave Review and vacation pictures below!​

​"My boyfriend and I wanted a quick getaway to a warm climate in Wintry February. I reached out to Christine through the Brentwood Travel website and she was so quick to respond, and really listened to what we wanted. She kept us informed of any updates to our travel plans and sent a very detailed information packet prior to our trip. We arrived, found our transportation easily, and checked in to our resort, Now Emerald Cancun, without any issues. Christine helped us secure a ocean view room with a balcony! The beach, the pools, the people, were exactly as we expected, and often times above our expectations.

I will continue to work with Christine, and I even referred my sister to her already!"- Hannah W.

Client Hannah W. and her boyfriend, Mario, at the Now Emerald Cancun Resort

Nothing is better than taking that perfect travel picture to share with your friends and family. If you're willing to do anything for the perfect Insta, pack your bags and head to Nashville, Tennessee! From giant murals to aesthetically pleasing shops and restaurants, this city is the perfect backdrop for unique travel photos. Keep reading to find out about some of the most Instagrammble spots in Nashville!

"I Believe in Nashville" mural

​Nashville is full of fun, colorful murals that are great backdrops for photos! One of the most popular is the "I BELIEVE IN NASHVILLE" mural, created by artist Adrien Saporiti. With the rise in popularity, the artist has taken this design and created apparel, stickers and prints, so you can have a little piece of Nashville wherever in the world you may be. Be prepared to wait in a line for your perfect pic, as it is a VERY popular spot!

Pinewood Social

Pinewood Social is not only a great place for photos, but also a great place for a fun day! There is a coffee bar when you first walk in, a 360° copper bar with restaurant seating, and 6 vintage bowling lanes. Visitors love getting their picture at the stunning restored bowling lanes from Bowl-O-Rama in Indiana. The entire venue has a warm and cozy vibe that makes you feel right at home and gives you an ample number of photo ops!

Five Daughters' Bakery

This donut shop is perfect for those with a sweet tooth! Five Daughters' Bakery is known for their 100-layer donuts and unique, seasonal flavors. The bakery is owned and operated by Isaac and Stephanie Meek along with their five young daughters. The simplistic and girly atmosphere of Five Daughters along with their picture-perfect donuts will give you a great background and prop for a fun Instagram post!

Amelia's Flower Truck

Nothing is better than fresh flowers! Stop by Amelia's Flower Truck to make your own custom bouquet of flowers at their mobile flower truck. If you are visiting Nashville during the winter months, the trucks are closed from December through February, but you can visit their storefronts year round. Visit their website to see the truck schedule to see exactly where they will be coming up!

"Nashville Looks Good on You" mural

Nashville sure does look good on you! This simple, black-and-white mural says it all. Created by a local artist that goes by the name nashTN, this mural represents the city full of creative and innovative individuals. Similar to the "I Believe in Nashville" mural, you can find many items the artist has created to capture the spirit of this mural in different forms. Go ahead and show your friends at home how good Nashville looks on you!

Three Brothers Coffee

You can have your coffee and take cute pictures with it, too! Nashville is home to many local coffee shops. One that stands out is the quirky vibe of Three Brothers Coffee. The coffee shop has a rotation art created by local Nashville artists for customers to admire. In an alleyway next to the coffee shop, you will find this popular photo spot: the “Heiroglitches” mural, created by Adrien Saporiti. These white walls with black images create a unique background for your coffee photos.

Cheekwood Botanical Gardens

​If you want to see some unreal natural beauty, drive a few minutes outside of downtown Nashville and take a trip to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. On the grounds sits a 1930s Georgian mansion with over 50 acres of gardens and an art museum. Cheekwood is gorgeous year-round, but during the holiday season you will find stunning light displays. This will give you the perfect backdrop for a festive Instagram post!

"#WhatLiftsYou" Mural

Another iconic Nashville mural! Besides being a beautiful piece of art, the artist, Kelsey Montague, wanted to inspire others to share what lifts them. This mural is a part of Montague's #WhatLiftsYou worldwide campaign. You can find these wings throughout the world and join the movement and spread the message by snapping a pic and using her hashtag, which you can find right on the mural.

LA Jackson

Looking for the perfect 360° view of downtown Nashville? Head on over to LA Jackson, a rooftop bar at the top of the Thompson Nashville Hotel. Enjoy the stunning view while sipping a craft cocktail! This spot is popular for happy hours during the week or a fun night out with DJ sets on the weekends. They offer a small menu of appetizers, bar eats, and desserts to enjoy as well. On Saturday and Sunday they also offer brunch from 11am-3pm!

John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge

​The historic John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge connects downtown Nashville to the residential suburbs of East Nashville. In 1998 the bridge was restored for pedestrian use and now provides some amazing views of the downtown skyline. The structure stretches a half mile, giving you multiple photo opportunities. This bridge is definitely a great spot for your Nashville pics!

​Destination weddings are a popular choice for those looking to celebrate their union in a more intimate setting in a beautiful location filled with fun festivities. That’s exactly what Rachel was thinking when she decided on having her wedding in Riviera Maya! Rachel and Keith are good friends of our Supervisor of Leisure Travel, Stacey Hoehne. Check out some of their beautiful wedding photos down below! Photos were taken by Now Sapphire's on-site photographers, Adventure Photos.​

Rachel chose Riviera Maya as it is an easy nonstop flight from St. Louis (their hometown) into Cancun. This made for an easy trip for their friends and family!​

Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun was the perfect resort for this group! The bride and groom wanted a medium-sized resort that wasn't TOO big, but still big enough for a variety of entertainment and dining options. They also wanted a resort that had nearby golf options for the groom! The wedding party included nieces and nephews, so a good kids program was a must! ​​

One other detail that the guests loved about this resort is that they could enjoy unlimited a la carte dinners, premium liquor, and no pesky wristbands. The resort staff at Now Sapphire was what truly made this resort the best choice.​

Working with the Wedding Coordinator at this resort made planning a breeze! With a list of options, it was easy for Rachel to customize their big day to exactly what she needed --- without having to run all over St. Louis to find a photographer, bakery, decorations, DJ, florist, make-up artist, etc!​

Ready to plan your dream destination wedding? Contact Stacey Hoehne to get started today!Call 314-439-5700 ext 128 or email her

Brentwood Travel Vacation Experts

In the 63 years since Brentwood Travel was founded in 1957, we've grown into the largest, full-service travel agency in the Greater St. Louis area. No matter what your travel needs may be, our consultants will be able to assist you.